Cap with concentrate

ABSTRACT

A cap with concentrate is characterized in that the container ( 8 ) is arranged in its entirety on the internally threaded portion ( 1 ) whereas the punch ( 4 ) of the bottom ( 7 ) of the container ( 8 ) is completely placed in the container ( 8 ) The internally threaded part ( 1 ) is provided with a flange ( 2 ).

The subject of the invention is a cap with the concentrate to be diluted with liquids contained in containers, including the bottles with threaded necks. Known from the patent description PL 201732 is a metering plug for a container, more specifically for a bottle with a neck, has a body, from which some sealing rings protrude onto the outer periphery. The metering plug is made of plastic, and its body has a hollow passage inside and flexible sealing rings from the outside, respectively. Inside the hollow body, the upper part contains a fluid metering valve. Both the valve and the plug body are closed by a common stopper from the top, whilst the valve bottom is a seat in the form of a concave bowl that houses a ball located in the hollow portion between the valve bottom and the fluid inlet into the plug body, such ball provided to control both the inlet as well as the outlet of the fluid. The metering valve has four discharge ports in the upper part over the seat. The stopper has a shank to stop the flow of fluid through the valve from the bottle, and a retaining cap, the outside diameter of it is greater than the neck opening, being such retaining cap integrated into a handle. The cavity passing through the surface of the body has four symmetrical shoulders that retain the valve in place and guide the ball, respectively.

Known from the Polish patent application P. 388247 is a cap (a metering plug) provided with a nut fastened to the cap with the protrusions in the groove of the nut. The metered material to be added to the liquid contained in the bottle is contained in a space delimited by the inner surface of the plug and the inner walls and the bottom of the metering cap. According to patent application, the part of the nut (a metering plug) is opened by rotating the plug with respect to the fixed nut. The plug has a pusher, which presses a cam attached to the bottom of the metering space.

Known from the patent description PL188268 is a metering device for a liquid storage container, the storage container having on its outlet opening an attachment piece on which the metering device with its closure piece is secured. The closure piece can be activated by means of a closure lid which is in operational engagement with the closure lid in such a manner that when the closure lid is opened, the closure piece closes the outlet opening of the storage container, whereas when the closure lid is shut, the closure piece frees the outlet opening of the storage container. The metering device has, prior to its first use, an integrally connected sealing element in the area of the outlet opening of the storage container, and the closure piece has means for establishing a liquid-permeable connection between the storage container and the metering device. The closure lid has a first thread for connection to the metering device and a second thread, running counter to the first one and used for activating the closure piece. The closure piece has means for securing it against turning. The closure piece has a sealing lip. The closure lid has sealing means for closing the metering device.

The caps with concentrate containers known in the prior art have generally complicated structure and the associated multi-step procedure for their opening, preceded by the need to read the instruction manual and its strict adherence to avoid, not only the introduction of the container part, or the piercing element to the liquid contained in the bottle, but hurting one's fingers, too.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the concentrate cap according to the invention consists in that the container is located entirely above the internally threaded portion, whereas the container bottom punch is completely inserted in the container. The internally threaded portion of the cap is provided with a flange. The preferred embodiment is that the extension of the threadless section of the threaded inner part forms the sides of the container, which are topped by a bowl. The further preferred embodiment is that the container bottom punch has a shape of a cone, the base of which is the bowl, and the sides have openings. The further preferred embodiment is that the container has an internally threaded protective end cap with threads that match the thread of the container neck. The further preferred embodiment is that the following components are thermally connected with each other: the container bottom with the flange of the internally threaded portion, and the container bowl with the punch bowl and the extension of the threadless section of the threaded inner part.

The cap with concentrate according to the invention may constitute either an integral part of the container, including the bottle with liquid, and the replacement cap to be screwed on after removing the screw cap containing no concentrate from the container, whereas concentrate can be in the form of not only liquid but also of tablets, dragées, granules, and powder. It allows to maintain the appropriate concentration of drinks, and even liquid meals, including medications at recommended doses for individuals, regardless of age. The cap with concentrate according to the invention is simple in structure, safe, easy to manufacture and convenient to use. A safety insert with its internal thread matching the external thread of the neck of a fluid container precludes the accidental pressing of the concentrate container bowl and hence the punch bowl and avoids the danger of injury, after mixing the concentrate with the liquid in the container and repeatedly opening the container with diluted concentrate. Moreover, the cap can serve as a stopper after the bottom of the container is punctured and after part of the internally threaded cap is removed from the container neck housing diluted concentrate.

One illustrative embodiment of the invention is represented in the drawing, in which

FIG. 1 shows the longitudinal section of the cap with concentrate,

FIG. 2 shows diagrammatically the bottom punch of the container.

The cap with concentrate according to the invention consists of an internally threaded portion 1, a container 8, a punch 4 of the bottom 7 of the container 8 and the protective cap 3. The container 8 is located entirely over the internally threaded portion 1 on its collar 2. The threadless extension portion 6 of the internally threaded portion 1 forms the sides of the container 8, which are topped by a bowl 5. The bowl 5 of the container 8 is made of an elastic material, whereas the bottom 7 of the container 8 is made of a material which is easy to be punctured. The punch 4 of the bottom 7 of the container 8 is completely placed in the container 8. The punch 4 of the bottom 7 of the container 8 is in the shape of a cone having a bowl 9 as its base, whereas the apex of the cone is the cutting edge 11, and the sides of the punch 4 have apertures 10. The following components are thermally bonded to each other, respectively: the bottom 7 of the container 8 with the flange 2 of the internally threaded portion 1, the bowl 5 of the container 8 with both the bowl 9 of the punch 4 and with the threadless extension 6 of the internally threaded extension 1. The threadless extension 6 of the internally threaded portion 1 is connected by thread to the internally threaded protective cap 3 having its thread matching the thread of the container neck.

When the cap with concentrate according to the invention forms an integral part of the container, more particularly of a bottle with the liquid to be diluted, dilution of the concentrate requires to remove the protective cap 3, and then to press the top of the bowl 5 of the container 8 to puncture the bottom 7 of the container 8 with a blade 11 of the punch 4, followed by shaking the container until the concentrate is diluted. In contrast, when the concentrate cap according to the invention is an additional part of the container, including the bottle, the first cap is screwed onto the container, and then presses the top of the bowl 5 of the container 8, to puncture the bottom 7 of the container 8, followed by shaking the container to dilute concentrate.

After dilution of concentrate, the cap 4 of the bottom of the punch 7 container 8 may be replaced by the internally threaded protective cap 3 with its thread matching the thread of the container neck.

A cap with concentrate may be used for application of energetic and isotonic substances from a bottle cap or a water bottle. Such application of the cap introduces a new way of offering and consuming the above-mentioned substances. Owing to the solution used in the cap, a person practicing sport or involved in recreational activities in the area with an easy access to water (e.g. a park) will not have to be equipped with a few bottles with an energetic or isotonic substance but only in one bottle and a few light caps functioning as containers. It is enough to pour water into a bottle, replace the cap containing a given substance and use it. Furthermore, during one training a cap with concentrate will make it possible to take various substances from one bottle in an easy and fast way, which currently requires having a few bottles, each with a different substance (or other containers, e.g. cans). Hence, from one bottle, it will be possible to have a substance stimulating the muscle strength (e.g. based on creatine) before a training, during a training a substance strengthening endurance of an organism (e.g. based on carbohydrates), and after a training a substance reinforcing regeneration of an organism after a strenuous physical exercise (e.g. based on amino acids, vitamins and minerals).

Moreover, a cap with concentrate may be used for application of various types of medication which obtain their properties after mixing with water, especially when exceeding the recommended dose is not advisable. A good example for the use of the cap with concentrate is application of antibiotics, which are ready to use after mixing the powder with water (suspension). Presently, a medication prepared for use often has to be stored in a refrigerator, where its shelf life is very short. The use of the cap with a prepared dose of medication enables to maintain its maximum properties (freshness), strictly metered doses and eliminate the likelihood of discarding (wasting) its remainder.

Furthermore, a cap with concentrate may be used for application of water treatment substances, which after mixing with water make it safe for consumption. Such a cap may be used as an item of equipment of tourists and people involved in recreational activities (e.g. survival) in places where bottled water is not available and drinking water in a different form may impose hazard to health (different microflora etc. . . ). Additionally, the water treatment substance in the cap container may be enriched with flavor enhancers, and if required, with substances supporting the functioning of an organism in high temperatures (e.g. based on carbohydrates and vitamins).

The above listed applications of the present invention are stated only as an example which cannot impose any restriction on other, unspecified in the present application usages of the applicant's invention. 

1. A cap with the concentrate housed in a container with a cap, provided with a container bottom punch and an internally threaded portion, whereas the bowl is made of an elastic material, and the bottom of the container is made of a material which is easy to puncture, wherein the container (8) is located completely over the internally threaded portion (1), whereas and the punch (4) of the bottom (7) of the container (8), is completely placed in the container (8), wherein the internally threaded portion (1) is provided with a flange (2).
 2. A cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the threadless extension (6) of the internally threaded section (1) forms the sides of the container (8), which are topped by a bowl (5).
 3. A cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the punch (4) of the bottom (7) of the container (8) is in the shape of a cone having a bowl (9) as its base (5) and the sides with openings (10).
 4. A cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the container (8) has a protective cap (3) internally threaded, with its thread matching the thread of the container neck.
 5. A cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the following components are thermally bonded to each other: the bottom (7) of the container (8) with the flange (2) of the internally threaded portion (1), and the bowl (5) of the container (8) with both the bowl (9) of the punch (4) and with the threadless extension (6) of the internally threaded portion (1). 